That includes an extra day from a leap year in February 2012 which, really, doesn't mean anything as it relates to this story except that, well, it's just another day.

And yes, the days do add up for the Cardinals' Drew Stanton, who might be the most inactive quarterback you've either ever, or never, heard about.

It all depends on where you live, where you're from or how closely you actually follow the NFL.

If you know anything about Stanton, you just know it's been a while.

A long, long while.

The last time Stanton got into an NFL game that truly, actually, meant something, it was Dec. 19, 2010, when he started his last game for the Detroit Lions which, for the record, was four teams and more than three and a half years ago.

On that particular day against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however, he completed 23 of 37 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown in what would become a 23-20 overtime victory for the Lions. The win was significant in that it snapped Detroit's NFL-record 26-game road-losing streak.

Since then, though, Stanton has been as quiet as a church mouse.

He is a viable commodity, to be sure, but he's also the most invisible backup quarterback in the NFL.

"It's difficult, but that's the job," said Cardinals starting quarterback Carson Palmer. "You just never know (when your time will come). But knowing Drew and knowing his work ethic and study habits and the seriousness in which he approaches his job, he's prepared to play every single week, whether it's the last snap of the game on a kneel-down or the third snap of the game if something were to happen."

Something's going to happen this week. Stanton is finally going to get a chance to play. OK, so it's only a preseason game — the Cardinals host the Houston Texas on Saturday at University of Phoenix Stadium — but the preseason has become Stanton's regular season.

Other than practice, it's about his only time to shine.

"It's a great measuring stick," Stanton says. "At this level, things aren't going to go as planned, but are you making those split-second decisions that you've prepared for, you've looked over your notes, you've studied and watched film on?

"For me, it's about making that second unit go out there and move the ball, because those are guys that fighting for roster spots that I'm playing with. I make that very evident to them: What you put on tape is what you are in this league. That's your resume, so you want to go out there and put your best foot forward, and I'm going to give every single guy that plays with me that opportunity. That's my goal."

It's been so long since Stanton has played in a regular-season game that you wonder how much faith coach Bruce Arians truly has in him should something happen to Palmer.

Arians coached Stanton two years ago with the Colts when Stanton was the backup to then-rookie Andrew Luck, and he contends the Cardinals wouldn't miss a beat with Stanton under center.

"Oh, yeah, no problem," Arians said. "With Drew, you don't have to tell him anything. He's been in the system longer. He understands why we do what we do and where it came from. It's probably easier for him than it is for Carson, who's still learning some little things."

Palmer says it's true. A day doesn't go by, he said, where Stanton isn't helping him out in some way. He's always offering subtle reminders to Palmer, be it about footwork technique, defensive reads or no-huddle adjustments.

"We talk about this offense every day," Palmer said, "We can go in and game plan a certain scheme and it can change very quickly on the field if B.A. sees something else he likes. I'm asking Drew questions and bouncing things off him, asking what he thinks every day, multiple times a day."

It's been a healthy relationship between the two, just like it has been for Stanton, the former Michigan State standout, during his days with Shaun Hill and Matthew Stafford with the Lions and Luck with the Colts.

"You want to be a sounding board, you want somebody that the starter respects and also values their opinion because you want to be able to bring something to the room," Stanton said.

The Palmer-Stanton dynamic is a breeze compared to the unsettled circus playing out in Cleveland, where one-time Cardinals quarterback Brian Hoyer is battling rookie Johnny Manziel for the starting job in camp.

"Yeah, that's become quite the topic of discussion, hasn't it?" Stanton said with a chuckle. "Everybody's sick of hearing about it, but at the same time they can't get enough of hearing about it. I played with Brian at Michigan State and have a relationship with him, and he has the right approach to it. All he wants is an opportunity to go out there and compete, and he feels like if he takes care of what he can, he's going to be the starter.

"Johnny's really popular, but to me, Brian brings that stability. And being that hometown kid, he's more of a comfortable choice compared to all the excitement with Johnny and everything that always surrounds him. I'll be honest: I'm very happy to be far away removed from that."

Note

The Cardinals will practice Monday at University of Phoenix Stadium, but the session will be closed to the public. Training camp will be open to the public again on Tuesday.

Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu puts on his helmet as he returned to active duty at training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians makes his players run following a scuffle at training camp on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett puts his practice helemt on during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium July 29, 2014. The league won't let him play with this during the season. (Photo: Michael Chow/azcentral sports)

The Cardinals' Patrick Peterson celebrates with Rashad Johnson (left) after breaking-up a pass play to Ted Ginn Jr. at training camp Monday, July 28, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson takes a selfie for a fan while signing autographs after practice during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. July 27, 2014. (Photo: Michael Chow/azcentral sports)

Cardinals QB Logan Thomas throws a pass during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. July 27, 2014. He was drafted this year in the 4th round from Virginia Tech. (Photo: Michael Chow/azcentral sports)